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Eating horsemeat in France

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41–50 of 229 posts

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#41
post #10

Eating horse meat was very common in central Europe before the big wars. In WWI and WWII even more so, horses were declared essential for the war in axis countries, and eating them became illegal. In Italy horse meat picked right up again after WWII, but in Austria and Germany people forgot about the reasons it seems and it stayed unacceptable/frowned upon. You can find (excellent) horse meat products in western Aust…

We still eat Pferdeleberkäse in Vienna, so I have to disagree with you there.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#42
It's the first time I see a picture of edible meat and feel repulsed by it.

Interesting.

Bit of background about me: I really like horses. They're friends to me. I see why people eat them, but that just sounds wrong, just writing it.

I... I guess I understand why vegetarians don't like meat, now.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#43
post #10

Eating horse meat was very common in central Europe before the big wars. In WWI and WWII even more so, horses were declared essential for the war in axis countries, and eating them became illegal. In Italy horse meat picked right up again after WWII, but in Austria and Germany people forgot about the reasons it seems and it stayed unacceptable/frowned upon. You can find (excellent) horse meat products in western Aust…

In Sweden horsemeat used to be sold commonly in supermarkets everywhere as thinly sliced sandwich charcuterie. Interestingly it’s called “hamburger-meat”.

The last 10 or so years I’ve noticed it’s gradually disappeared from Stockholm stores.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#45
post #38
post #31

When I lived in NL, I took a trip to Maastricht which is a beautiful place right in the South and tried a popular local dish - Zoervleis[0] which is traditionally horse meat. It was delicious. It always amuses me that when I tell this story, it's often met with disgust - even by meat-eaters! "But, how could you eat horse! They're so nice!". Yeah... you eat beef, have you ever met a cow up close? They're also lovely c…

You also get this reaction if you declare having eaten what I would call secondary meats (rabbit, duck, lamb).

Interesting! Is this US-specific?

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#46
post #10

Eating horse meat was very common in central Europe before the big wars. In WWI and WWII even more so, horses were declared essential for the war in axis countries, and eating them became illegal. In Italy horse meat picked right up again after WWII, but in Austria and Germany people forgot about the reasons it seems and it stayed unacceptable/frowned upon. You can find (excellent) horse meat products in western Aust…

My grand mother stopped eating horse meat after WW2, because rwally bad horse meat was the only meat she got during the war.

Horse is actually among the stuff I want to try one day, along with swan.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#48
post #45
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You also get this reaction if you declare having eaten what I would call secondary meats (rabbit, duck, lamb).

Interesting! Is this US-specific?

Rabbit isn’t common in US grocery stores but Duck and Lamb are, especially around winter holidays.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#49
post #13

Horses are companion animals.

So are my kune-kune pigs. A lot cuter, cuddlier and friendlier than the average horse as well. Doesn't make them less edible, though given their age the meat likely won't be all that.

Re: Eating horsemeat in France

#50
post #45
post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You also get this reaction if you declare having eaten what I would call secondary meats (rabbit, duck, lamb).

Interesting! Is this US-specific?

Not the OP, but I'm in the US and.. it's complicated. I would say, in general, meats like lamb and, especially, veal have fallen out of favor due to the perceived poor conditions and youth of the animals. Rabbit isn't common in the US (it's not generally available in stores) but the "cuteness" factor plays a role here as well. This has changed since the 80's when lamb and veal were more popularly consumed. I'm guessing PETA's work has moved the needle in this area.

Living in Minnesota, however, wild game is more widely consumed so things like duck, geese, pheasant, etc. aren't seen as odd or offensive.

Horse is considered taboo for consumption in the US.

I would say, in general, Americans can be turned off a meat source if it is perceived to have produced from poor conditions or is "cute". This, however, does not apply to beef, chicken, or pork. (Though you can squeeze a few more bucks out of people by calling something "free range").

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